In a week that marked 100 days to go until the showpiece event kicks off in Dublin on 9 August, the trophy tour has already hit a century of stops and clocked up more than 8,500 kilometres in the process.

The tour, which will visit all 32 counties in Ireland, has taken in clubs, schools and festivals in Munster and Leinster in recent weeks and has been supported along the way by Ireland internationals such as Sean O’Brien, Gordon D’Arcy, Niamh Briggs and Nora Stapleton.

Earlier this week, the coveted trophy also paid a visit to the Gaelic Warriors wheelchair rugby team with WRWC 2017 ambassador and former Ireland captain Fiona Coghlan trying her hand at a different form of the game.

It’s not just rugby fans, though, who are excited about seeing the trophy and the fact that Ireland are hosting the tournament as this week Balbriggan RFC welcomed girls from the local GAA, boxing and cricket clubs.

Schools are also getting in on the fun with classes working on projects related to the countries taking part in the tournament. Burnsfort National School have even created their own ‘Irish haka’ to welcome the Black Ferns when they arrive in Ireland.

IRFU Tournament Director Garrett Tubridy said: “We have been touring the trophy around the island with the 100th event taking place last weekend – that’s been great for the promotion of the tournament. Ticket sales have been going well and there is a real sense that this could be one of those ‘I was there’ tournaments.”

#WRWC2017 TROPHY TOUR – COMING UP

This week and next the trophy heads north again and will take in Ulster’s match with Leinster in Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.